If you have something that can improve a patient’s well-being, wouldn’t you neglect them by not sharing it? Harbir Sian sits with Dhruvin Patel , an Optometrist & Founder at Ocushield®, who has tremendous entrepreneurship and eyecare experience. Dhruvin advises young entrepreneurs that if you have an idea that keeps you up at night or you can't stop thinking about, pursue it and start now. You don't need to wait for the whole industry to adopt something; you can be a changemaker. Join the co...
Jan 25, 2024•38 min•Ep. 75
What do slot machines have in common with the eye care industry? Andrew Burke , the CEO of Bluberi Gaming , shares his journey from working in private equity to helping build up a successful gaming company to now saving a smaller company from the brink of failure to making multiple millions in sales every year. At the heart of Andrew’s story are lessons that display how there might be more similarities than you would imagine between gaming and eye care. The struggles he faced in growing a busine...
Jan 23, 2024•43 min•Ep. 132
In the previous episode of this three-part series, we talked about entrepreneurship, Claudine's journey, and beauty products. But today, it will be different. Dr. Claudine Courey is a bona fide dry eye expert. Through working in an OD/MD specialty practice, utilizing the latest technology, and even selling dry eye products on her website, EyeDropShop.com , Claudine has seen the dry eye industry from every angle. In the final episode of our three-part series with Thea Pharma Canada, we dive deep ...
Jan 16, 2024•49 min•Ep. 131
Dr. Paul Karpecki may well be the most recognizable name in optometry. Throughout his career, he has established himself as a clinical expert in dry eye and ocular surface disease. Dr. Karpecki runs one of the largest dry eye clinics in North America and is the chief clinical editor for Review of Optometry and co-chair for the TFOS Symposium. In this episode, Dr. Karpecki shares his journey to becoming this iconic figure in the world of optometry. From professional setbacks to personal loss, he ...
Jan 09, 2024•43 min•Ep. 130
The last episode of 2023 is a little Eye2Eye chat. There are so many people to thank for all the support this year, both on an individual level and industry level. So, in this episode we take a few minutes to thank many of the people/organizations that have supported the podcast. But, Harbir also shares the concept of The Algorithm of Life. A great way to gain some perspective on how this year has gone and how to set our intentions for 2024. Thank you to everyone for all the support this year. W...
Dec 26, 2023•11 min•Ep. 129
Visionary care isn't just about sight today; it's about shaping a clearer, brighter future, one child's eyes at a time. In today’s third and final installment of our series on myopia management sponsored by EssilorLuxottica, we have Simon Robert , the Senior Director of Corporate Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, and Dr. Patrick Simard , private practice owner and clinical instructor at the University of Montreal School of Optometry. Simon and Dr. Patrick discuss the huge roles played by educa...
Dec 19, 2023•35 min•Ep. 128
Dr. Haris Dzubur is a successful optometrist in the Chicago area who has had years of experience running a dry eye clinic within an ophthalmology practice and recently purchased a specialty practice of his own. In this episode, Dr. Dzubur shares his journey from narrowly escaping war-torn Bosnia as a child, growing up in Chicago, to eventually building his career in optometry. He also talks about how involving the community helped him in his business and provides his perspective as a clinic owne...
Dec 12, 2023•45 min•Ep. 127
Kayla Ashlee has previously spent years working in the optical industry. Using her business background and her knack for sales, Kayla transformed the optical side of the businesses she worked in. Her success in optical business management and training led her to create Spexy – a Netflix-like online resource for optical training. In this episode, Kayla discusses her entrepreneurial journey, the value of authenticity, and some insights into how to elevate your optical sales in an eyecare practice....
Dec 05, 2023•36 min•Ep. 126
I attended the Myopia Luminaries event in October, which was hosted by CooperVision in New Orleans. The event took place just before the American Academy of Optometry meeting. It was a true gathering of leaders, both clinical and research-based, in myopia management from across North America. Just before the event started, I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Justin Kwan who is the Senior Manager of Myopia Management in CooperVision's Professional and Academic Affairs group. In our conversation...
Nov 28, 2023•17 min•Ep. 125
Chrissy Friberg is a self-proclaimed "Badass Yukon Optician" who travels to indigenous villages all around Alaska to provide eyecare services in the most remote places you could imagine. In this episode, Chrissy and Dr. Jamie Varghese give us a behind the scenes what it is like to practice bush medicine of the eyecare variety. You can also watch this episode at YouTube.com/HarbirSianOD to SEE what the day to day set up is like for Chrissy and Jamie. Connect with Chrissy: https://www.instagram.co...
Nov 21, 2023•27 min•Ep. 124
Debbie Jones is one of the most recognizable names in the world of Myopia Management. She is a clinical professor at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and a lead clinical scientist at the Centre for Ocular Research and Education. In this episode, Debbie discusses the current state of the profession with regards to myopia management, what is currently being taught in optometry schools, and what the research is telling us. This episode is the third in a four-part series of discussions...
Nov 16, 2023•45 min•Ep. 123
What do TMJ, motion sickness, headaches, and eye strain all have in common? ONE, they can be caused by tiny misalignments in your eyes. And TWO, they can all potentially be resolved by measuring the misalignment in a Neurolens device and prescribing their patented contoured prism technology. In this episode, two seasoned practitioners, Dr. Kiran Ramesh and Dr. Trevor Miranda, share how Neurolens has changed their already busy practices. Learn more at Neurolens.com Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, RATE...
Nov 07, 2023•29 min•Ep. 122
Every business has processes and metrics that can be streamlined and improved. Ankit Patel calls these aspects of the business leverage points. Ankit is the founder of a company named My Business Care Team, which provides business process outsourcing services to optometry clinics. He also runs and manages multiple optometry clinics in the Atlanta area. In this episode, Ankit helps us understand how to define where our business currently stands, how to look at our metrics, where we can make chang...
Nov 02, 2023•41 min•Ep. 121
Dr. David Kading is one of the most well-known and renowned personalities in eye care. He is the owner of a multi-location specialty practice in Seattle, he has authored hundreds of articles and research papers, and he is the co-founder of Optometric Insights and the host of The Myopia Podcast. One of the more interesting things that Dr. Kading has become famous for is his collection of coffee mugs. In this episode, Dr. Dave dives into the importance of myopia management, what must be done to ma...
Oct 24, 2023•42 min•Ep. 120
We know that our eyes are connected to our systemic health. But how often do we think about how our gut health can affect our eyes? In this episode, Dr. Mila Ioussifova discusses how her passion for treating dry eye led her to get further training and education as a board-certified nutrition specialist, so she could take her uber-advanced dry eye practice to the next level. Learn about the gut-eye connection and what you can do to improve your overall wellness. Tune in to Dr. Ioussifova in this ...
Oct 17, 2023•36 min•Ep. 119
Dr. Mile Brujic is one of the most recognizable figures in the eyecare industry. As a business owner, prominent speaker, and educator, Dr. Brujic has impacted the profession of optometry in numerous ways. In this engaging conversation, Dr. Brujic shares how he became the prolific figure that he is today. Through relatable anecdotes and approachable advice, he shares many insights that can help all listeners (from optometry students to seasoned practitioners) grow and improve. Connect with Dr. Mi...
Oct 10, 2023•49 min•Ep. 118
Low Vision is an area of specialty that many ECPs are not comfortable diving into. Yet, it may be one of the most impactful and rewarding areas of practice. Dr. Ana Juricic is a low vision optometrist practicing in Toronto with over 27 years of experience in the field of vision rehabilitation services for individuals living with vision loss. In this episode, Dr. Juricic shares how she became a renowned low vision specialist without completing a residency or pursuing any other specialized trainin...
Oct 03, 2023•44 min•Ep. 117
How can AI help optometrists detect more than just diabetic retinopathy? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Hadi Chakor and Yves-Stéphane Couture , the visionary minds behind DIAGNOS . Together, they share their groundbreaking partnership with IRIS, a consortium of optometry practices spanning Canada. They shared how their collaboration harnesses a vast database of patient images to redefine the approach to retinal healthcare in the Great White North. By May of 2023, IRIS and DIAGNOS had screene...
Sep 26, 2023•36 min•Ep. 116
Eyewear is more than just vision; it is also style and the story behind it! The story of how Nico Roseillier came to the United States is a remarkable one for sure. He arrived in New York with a background in architecture but no background in speaking English. Today, he has worked with dozens of recognizable frame brands, designs exhibits at Vision Expo, and has received awards for his eyewear designs. In this episode, we will learn about Nico's plans to make a new dent in the eyewear industry w...
Sep 21, 2023•46 min•Ep. 115
Myopia Management does not just happen in the exam room. An office's success in implementing this (and most other) specialties is very much dependent on a team approach. But how do we train all the different team members in our office to make sure everyone is on the same page? Enter Ann Tran , a professional trainer and development consultant for the Essilor Academy Canada team. In this episode, Ann discusses how Essilor is supporting optometrists to adopt myopia management and train the whole t...
Sep 19, 2023•31 min•Ep. 114
Optometry isn't just about glasses; it's about shaping the future of eye health. Join us with Dr. Shiv Sharma on this journey where new billing codes, Optomap technology, and career choices pave the way for comprehensive patient care and innovation. Being on the MSP Negotiations Committee that was responsible for the new agreement that BC Doctors of Optometry reached with the BC Government, Dr. Sharma sheds light on how these changes are revolutionizing patient care. He also explores the Optomap...
Sep 12, 2023•34 min•Ep. 113
Myopia has been described by many as a global epidemic. Some of the keenest minds in eyecare have made it their mission to help fight the progression of myopia across the globe. In this episode, Dr. Shalu Pal and Dr. Millicent Knight , two of the foremost experts in myopia, discuss how EssilorLuxottica is working to battle the myopia epidemic. Dr. Pal shares her perspective as a renowned clinical expert, and Dr. Knight explains how multiple industry partners are coming together in coalitions, su...
Sep 05, 2023•33 min•Ep. 112
With all the discussion about AI, it is hard to know which technologies will actually have an impact on the eye care industry. However, there is one piece of AI-powered tech that is showing promise of shaking up not just eye care, but possibly many facets of all health care. In this episode, Dr. Patrick Sauvageau , founder of Zilia , discusses how his company combines traditional retinal imaging with spectroscopy to create an entirely new way to diagnose ocular diseases. As they say, the eye is ...
Aug 29, 2023•23 min•Ep. 111
Dr. Claudine Courey returns to the podcast in the second part of this three-part series to discuss CLEAN BEAUTY. Aesthetic treatments and the use of cosmetics around the eyes are big topics. As patients are increasingly using potentially harmful products and getting treatments like lash extensions, it is vital for ECPs to get comfortable discussing the impact of these things on our eyes. In this episode, Dr. Courey shares HOW we can have these discussions and WHY it's important for both the pati...
Aug 22, 2023•29 min•Ep. 110
In the second installment of this myopia management series sponsored by Hoya Vision Care Canada, Dr. Devan Trischuk shares his EXPERT insights into how he built the myopia side of his busy optometry practice. In this episode, we dive deeper into treatment protocols and how to prescribe different forms of myopia management. If you're looking for a more introductory level conversation, be sure to check out the first installment of this series in the interview with Dr. Gary Matter. Stay tuned for t...
Aug 15, 2023•36 min•Ep. 109
Optometrists are good at what they do, but they typically don’t have a strong background in running a business. More often than not, it is up to us to learn on the job. In this episode, Dr. Kerry Salsberg and Dr. Steve Vargo share their insights on how you can elevate your business. Dr. Salsberg runs a big, busy optometry practice and he continues to find ways to evolve and grow the business. Dr. Vargo is a renowned consultant and author of multiple business books. Join them as they reveal their...
Aug 10, 2023•30 min•Ep. 108
The 38th Congress of The Canadian Association of Optometrists convened in Quebec City last month. Harbir Sian had the opportunity to sit down for a conversation with outgoing President, Dr. Harry Bohnsack , and incoming President, Dr. Martin Spiro . In this short episode, Drs. Bohnsack and Spiro discuss the current initiatives the CAO is currently working on to support the growth of optometry across Canada. They also share their journeys toward their roles in CAO, bringing their experiences from...
Aug 01, 2023•18 min•Ep. 107
With exciting new advances in generative AI platforms like ChatGPT, there is a world of new opportunities for us to explore. However, ECPs (and professionals in all industries) have been left wondering how exactly to apply these technologies to their day-to-day operations. Enter Keri Sculland . Keri is the Manager of Editing and Content Strategy at Marketing 4ECPs . In this episode, Keri dives into how her team has been using various forms of generative AI to create marketing content, as well as...
Jul 25, 2023•32 min•Ep. 106
Discover the power of innovative technology and the boundless potential for providers in North America, as we delve into a captivating conversation that will leave you inspired. We have on the show one of the most passionate and charismatic leaders in eye care, Pierre Bertrand. With over a decade of experience in the industry, first with Essilor and now as CEO of Neurolens, Pierre is on a mission to make a massive impact on as many patients as possible. In this episode, he shares the secrets to ...
Jul 11, 2023•48 min•Ep. 105
In this episode, Dr. Harbir Sian welcomes Dr. Jennifer Lyerly , a self-proclaimed optometry nerd, a successful blogger, a pioneer in the optometry podcast world, and a passionate practitioner in myopia management and specialty contact lens. True Vision Optometry , where Dr. Lyerly works, was recently awarded one of the practices of the year in 2023 by CooperVision. Dr. Lyerly shares her expertise in myopia management, how she started her ultra-successful blog, and her journey in the optometry po...
Jun 27, 2023•52 min•Ep. 104
